title: Anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic activities of Acanthopanax trifoliatus (L) Merr leaves.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acanthopanax trifoliatus is a ginseng-like plant, which has been widely used to treat various diseases including inflammatory-related diseases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study has been designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic effects of various fractions of Acanthopanax trifoliatus leaves ethanolic extract in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anti-inflammatory activity was studied by using carrageenan-induced edema on rat paw whilst anti-hyperalgesic was assessed by using carrageenan-evoked thermal hyperalgesia on plantar test.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were analyzed using Student t-test to compare with control. Multiple comparisons for difference between control and extract-treated groups were evaluated by Tukey HSD (Honestly Significant Difference) test. P values less than 0.05 (P < 0.05) is considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among three different fractions i.e., hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol tested, methanolic fraction displayed the most potent fraction amongst those three. It gave significant anti-inflammatory effect at highest dose, 500 mg/kg, with 77.24% of inhibition. Whilst for anti-hyperalgesic activity, methanolic fraction showed the highest efficacy at 375 mg/kg. Administration of methanolic fraction of Acanthopanax trifoliatus inhibited paw edema in a dose- dependent manner. The inhibition for both activities might be due to possible composition of polar compounds, which are flavonoids and phenolics content.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Methanol fraction of Acanthopanax trifoliatus leaves has potential effect as anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesia in acute inflammation model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Roslida Abdul
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hamid
authors.forename: Teoh Hui
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kee
authors.forename: Fezah
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Othman
keywords: Acanthopanax trifoliatus; anti-hyperalgesic carrageenan-evoked thermal hyperalgesia; plantar test